The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1887-04-01
STICKS TO HIS STORY.
Harry Leavitt, enc of the Conspirators
Against Rev. Haddock, Corroborates ON
the Witness-Stand His Former Confess
sion to the Effect that He Saw Arens-
dorf Fire the Fatal Shot.


the Witness-Stand His Former Confess
sion to the Effect that He Saw Arens-
dorf Fire the Fatal Shot.
Sioux CRY, Ia, March 29.-The proceed
Ilgs in the Arensdorf case yesterday were
by far the most Interesting yet recorded.
Harry L. Leavitt. the theater manager,
who confcsses to participation in the con-
spiracy against Haddocl, was called to the
stand at :45 a. m. and was still On when
court adjourned for the noon recess. Con-
densed into mere narrative, Ieavitt's
testimony was as follows:
In the latter part of December, 1885, he came
to Sioux City, but went away and returned in
the first week of January, 1886. He opened his
variety theater on Pearl street in February.
In June he went East and came back to this
place a few days before the killing OF
DR.. Haddock. Witness knew John Arens-
dorf: he became acquainted with him
in January 1886, and bought beer of
the Franz Brewing Company to the extent
of $50 or SIS a week. Arensdorf was seen at the
theater and about town frequently by witness
Leavitt proceeded to describe in detail how he
became member of the Saloon Keepers As
sociation. After he joined several persons,
among them ArensdCrf, the defendant, agreed
to the pror osal that something should be done
to rid the town of temperance workers. Arens-
which he thought sufficient to effect the pur-
pose. Arensdorf said that something must be
done, and suggested that Haddoclls or Tur-
ner's house be blown up or burned down.
The next day witness went down to the ST.
Paul railroad yards to see Dan Moriarty and
try to get him to whip DIR. Haddock They
were willing to give him 300 for the JOB, and
witness thought him to be the proper person
for the work. Moriarty refused to whip any
body.
Witness testified to seeing Dr. Haddoclz on
the stand as witness in the injunction
cases then on trial. The day before the
saloon-keepers' meeting, on the evening
of August 8, Lcavitt met by chance
Plath, TreibeT, Fred Munchrath, Jr., and
TIVE Germans, whom he afterward knew to
be Granda and Koschnitzki. They were stand
ing on the Sioux City National Bank corner on
Fourth street talking about Haddock's trip to
Greenvlle Leavitt joined in the converse
ton. Witness described the hack ride to
Greenvlle ''to see how the preacher got his
evidence in the whisky cases."
On returning from ''Greenville,n which is
near the eastern limits of town and is local
designation, the party was driven directly to
Junk's saloon. The four man went into
the saloon. Arensdorf, Grady Sco
lard and Junk were there. Then all
seemed to start for their homes; at
least witness did so. AS they reached the
street Bismarck came up and said the buggy
had returned. Arensdorf said: Lets go up
and see." Arensdorf, Peters, Treiber, Plath
and Leavitt went toward the stable on Water
street, Arensdort and Peters leading. Sherman
walked with Leavitt. This was the first time wit
ness saw Sherman. Leavitt saw John Ryan on
the street and spoke to him. The party stopped
by the board fence corner Fourth and Water
streets. Munchrath was seen there by witness
nd hen nd To
give him black eye or something that won't
hurt him or get any of us N any trouble" Wit
ness heard Arensdorf say something about "a
drunken Dutchman."
The witness described how Haddocl came
from the stable moved north on West Water
street to the corner of Fourth, turned eastward,
and midway on the crossing was met by Arens-
dorf, who had.walked out from the fence to en-
counter him. s'They met, and ArenSdorf looked
into Haddoclz's face Haddocz raised his hand;
the hand came down; Arensdorf passed; then
came he shot"
Mr.. Marsh caused Leavitt to leave the
stand and impersonate the assassin. He
did this in highly dramatic manner,
illustrating to the jury how the shot was
freddy frs approaching Marsh, gazing
in his face, passing him, and then turning
quickly from behind with raised hand
against the attorneys neck. This scene
correspondent with the one enacted pre-
viously before the jury by Witness FitZ-
simmons, who saw the shot fired The
witness continued his story:
After the shooting the crowd by the fence
stood spellbound for an instant and then fed.
Leavitt ran northward to Ryan's house. The
last seen of Arensdorf by this witness he was
going west toward the bridge. Henry Peters
followed Arensdorf out from the fence corner,
oF+o 4loo cl,o
ton as the defendant on trial
Witness saw John Arensdorf the next day be-
fore the latter appeared at the coroner's in
quest. He asked Arensdorf how he felt, and
the latter replied: Every badly" He asked
witness if he had seen the deed. Witness an
sWered in the affirmative, adding that it was a
bad thing, and he ought never to have done it.
Arensdorf asked witness to remain quiet.
He said he couldn't fix Henry Peters for any
evidence, and thought about sending him over
to Nebraska for few days. and from there to
Germany.
Leavitt testified to having told his wife about
the conversation with Arensdorf At another
time he asked Arensdorf if it would not be a
good idea for him to plead guilty or selfde.
Tense. Arensdorf replied that every body had
better keep still and then it would be all right.
Leaytt told Arensdorf that the matter had
been mentioned in the papers and the thing
would have to come out Mrs. Leavitt had ad-
vised him to tell Arensdorf not to send Pc
tiers or anybody else away. Defendant replied
that it was all right and that he would not send
anybody away. The remainder of the direct
evidence related to the time prior to the shoot
ing, when the attempt was made to secure men
to whip Dr. Haddock.
Leavitt endured a searching cross exam
ination for three hours without perceptible
change in his manner.